Ontario Seeking Public Input in Niagara and Hamilton to Develop the 2018 Budget

Provincewide Pre-Budget Consultations Support Government Plan for Fairness and Opportunity

Ontario is seeking public input to help shape policies and programs that will be part of the province's 2018 Budget.

Yvan Baker, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance, was in Niagara and then Hamilton today to host pre-budget consultations. He was joined in Niagara by area MPP Jim Bradley and in Hamilton by MPPs Ted McMeekin and Eleanor McMahon. Remaining consultations will take place over the coming weeks in Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa, Brampton, Thunder Bay and Kitchener.

Ontario will also host pre-budget telephone town halls to reach more people across the province, and ideas can be sent by mail, email or fax (416-325-0969) by February 9, 2018.

Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

Quick Facts

Last year, 71,000 people participated in consultations that informed the 2017 Ontario Budget’s policies and programs.

Through Budget Talks, Ontario is the first province in Canada to commit to funding ideas submitted by the public as part of its budget process.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“As we consider the Ontario Budget, it’s important for the government to hear from individuals about their priorities, and use that information to help shape our decisions. We want to provide more opportunities for people in Niagara and Hamilton to share their ideas on how we can help make life better.”

Yvan Baker

Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance

“I was pleased to see so many people participate actively and share their ideas in this morning’s consultation. I’m glad that the government has their feedback to help shape the upcoming budget.”

Jim Bradley

MPP (St. Catharines)

“The people of Hamilton can be certain that the government wants to hear from them and this pre-budget consultation was a great way to share ideas and voice opinions.”

Ted McMeekin

MPP (Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale)

“Our government’s pre-budget consultations allow local residents to provide important insights and feedback that will help draft the upcoming 2018 Ontario budget.”